"New life grows from what has passed."

Niall McGivern shares his story of how he reconnected with his truest self.

Photo credit: Kaaran Singh Photography

This month I am pleased to share fellow Substack creative professional

Niall McGivern

with you for my monthly guest feature on the concept of “I grow strong again.” Niall and I first digitally met here on Substack about a year ago. Since then, I have been following his work weekly, and his writing always strikes me, usually in a serendipitous way, where I need it the most. His writing often involves poems on living a creative life, and he weaves philosophy into his existential reflections and questions for the reader.

Today I’m honored to share his story and thoughts about what strength and resilience mean to Niall. Please check out his Substack, subscribe, leave an affirming comment below this post, and share it with others you feel will be inspired by his story.

If you would like your story to be considered as my monthly guest feature, please check out my Submissions page for specific information.

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“We strengthen when we return to our roots and connect with our true nature.”

The image of an oak tree stump with a sapling sprouting at its base, is a strong reminder that new life grows from what has passed and that is what ‘I Grow Strong Again’ means to me. In other words, a new you emerges. The image also symbolises the power of nature. We strengthen when we return to our roots and connect with our true nature. The feeling of being connected to everything provides safety, and with security comes strength.

“The accumulation of your choices decides the state of your well-being.”

Growing up my life revolved around sports. In my teenage years, I began to suffer from exercise-induced migraines. They became so persistent that I completely stopped engaging in sports by my late teens. At the same time, I also began to engage in unhealthy habits, leading me further astray from living well. From that moment, I struggled to find presence, fulfilment, and enthusiasm.

Come to my mid-twenties, and while externally things may have looked fine (maybe they didn’t), internally I was full of angst, stress, and unfulfillment.

Throughout 2019 and 2020, a prolonged inflammatory digestive issue propelled me to reevaluate how I was living my life. I learned the hard way that the accumulation of your choices decides the state of your well-being. That’s when writing came along.

Writing became a vehicle for me to self-assess. A way of consciously measuring how aligned my choices are with my values. It doesn’t mean I always live accordingly, but it makes me more mindful of how I live.

The more time went on, the deeper my reflections became. Writing provided a blank canvas to process my thoughts, beliefs, fears, past experiences, and emotions. It empowered me to envision how I wanted my future to look. Writing has been key in helping me understand that I am not my thoughts, fears, or beliefs. It created space to understand my true self, and with that came a real sense of freedom.

Photo credit Kaaran Singh Photography

“My challenges with health and happiness have led me home to myself.”

While it’s been a gradual shift, I am continuously becoming more conscious of what serves my health and what doesn’t. Health and well-being have become my first foundation. For me, it is the base upon which a well lived life is built.

It’s everything from the small, daily habits to significant lifestyle changes. With my biggest decision being to abstain from drinking alcohol for the majority of each year. I still enjoy a drink on my birthday or at Christmas with my family, but my relationship with alcohol is night-and-day in comparison to my early twenties. The difference it has made to my energy, clarity, and mood is remarkable.

Changing my relationship with alcohol is just one example of how I am continuously exploring how I can live most true to who I am. I’m grateful for the challenges I experienced with my health and happiness because they led me home to myself.